Thanks to all of you who either blogged your vote or emailed me privately about the book title. Drum roll, please…

The winner is…

Parenting Preschoolers on Your Knees : Prayers and Practical Guidance for Parents of Preschoolers

Of course, I really have no control over the final title. In fact, this is at least the third title I have printed on a proposal and sent off to the publisher. The publisher I did the rewrites for refers to the book as “Into the King’s Arms…aka Heir to Grace castle.” Now he’ll have to add the newest title.

I must confess, as much as it stinks to be told you’re off base, I was off base! I am so much happier with the positive spin on these two chapters now and the title fits much better too. Whether or not this house picks it up, the book is better for the changes.

New News ~
It’s a week of new beginnings at the Tiede house. On Monday we started school. Today is day 4…176 to go! Actually, the only one counting is Ben. As a kindergartener, last year, he was able to have a pretty loose schedule and still get everything done. First grade has bit him in the bumper and put his nose out of joint. He’s not at all sure about this “school every day” plan and to say he’s owly would be an understatement.

Kadi has kicked into gear though. She typically beats me to the school room by an hour and has most of her independent work done by the time I show up. I’m committed to exercising, showering, and Bible study before school, so she won’t be seeing me any earlier. As the year progresses I’m sure she’ll not be so gung-ho. For the time being though, I am going to celebrate her enthusiasm for fifth grade.

Caleb is the most eager to do school. Usually be mid-afternoon he has forgotten that we did preschool already and he cries to do more. Last night he got out of bed at 10 p.m. and wanted to know if we could “do chool.” I think he just likes the Wiggle Worm song.

I’m off to work on the Small Town Sin proposal now. More on the new stuff at the Tiede’s later.

Does anyone out there remember the TV show, Name That Tune? What a great show! I have to confess that I was young enough when the show aired, not to be able to play well. My mom, on the other hand, was a whiz. I used to love watching Name That Tune with her knowing full well she could “take” any one of the contestants in the little box.

Today my dilemma isn’t naming a tune, it’s naming my book. This week I heard back from one of the three publishing houses who have my prayer and parenting preschoolers book under consideration. They are still interested in the book (good news), but want some changes made to the first two chapters (bad news…well, not so bad).

Originally the two introductory chapters had a castle/kingdom theme. The title presented was “Into the King’s Arms: Prayers and Practical Guidance for Parents of Little Ones.” Fast forward to this week…I need to scratch the castle/kingdom theme and create a new title. The subtitle can stay. (Can you hear me singing the Hallelujah Chorus from there?)

Okay, down to business, people! My agent has suggested that I come up with one new title and offer other “possibilities” in my proposal. Sounds like a good idea…however, remember, I haven’t landed even ONE title, let alone “options.” (Mind you, “Into the King’s Arms” was NOT the first title I tried. I won’t bore you with the others.)

Here’s the deal, the prayer book has been pitched as a possible series, with additional books on praying for school agers, teens, etc.

Here are my ideas so far:

Sweet Blessings: Prayers and Practical Guidance for Parents of Little Ones

Parenting Preschoolers On Your Knees: Prayers and ….

Pre-PRAYER-ed to Parent Preschoolers: Prayers and…

So, I want to hear from you. Vote on one of these options, or come up with something better. If this baby gets published with a title YOU came up with…I’l give you a signed copy.

Here we go, the theme song for Name That Tune is starting to play in my head, how ’bout yours? All right, I can’t really remember the theme song, but I still hope you’re thinking of titles!

I just watched the waste management company pick up my neighbor’s trash. I wish getting rid of “stuff” was always as easy as tossing it in a can and wheeling it to the curb. I have a lot of “stuff.” How ’bout you?

Some of my stuff is tangible. I’ve spent the last week purging a drawer here, a closet there. My goal is to work my way through the house in this fashion, in preparation for a grand Tiede garage sale next summer. (Ah, garage sales are another topic of discussion…I’ve committed to only doing one every other year. That committment is subject to change after any given garage sale, if you know what I mean.)

My husband challenged me to do something, that got me thinking about how much we really need. We are leaving on a four day camping trip soon. We’re “tent-ers” and we usually manage to squish all 5 of us and our gear into the mini-van. However, this time we are adding an extra body. Our 10-year-old daughter, Kadi, is bringing her best friend with us. Ah, that means we have to leave in an extra seat….which equates to less packing space. (I offered to stow Claire on the roof or hood. She declined. Go figure.)

So, for the challenge… I was “commissioned” to downsize our 2 humongous rubber tubs, in which we store EVERYTHING, to two small boxes. Hint…this is where you throw your arms over your head, jump up and down, and join me in singing “We are the champion, my friends!” I did it!

Here’s the deal, we actually need a lot less than we think. When I first surveyed our “stuff” I was determined to keep it all. I figured out, however, that there were a lot of extras that we rarely use on these adventures.

I was reminded that I tend to hold on to lots of other things that aren’t necessary, as well…hard feelings, bitterness, anger, disappointment. When we get right down to it, there are only a few things we need to hold on to with fierce determination; faith in Jesus Christ, family, and service to others. (Those are at the top of my list any way.)

“So keep at your work, this faith and love rooted in Christ, exactly as I set it out (entrusted to) for you. It’s as sound as the day you first heard it from me. Guard this precious thing placed in your custody by the Holy Spirit who works in us.” 1 Timothy 2:13-14

I can lay down my emotional “stuff,” at the foot of The Cross, any day…I don’t have to wait for garbage pick up.

I can safely say I made it through the last week on Diet Coke. After spending the last eight weeks cranking out my novel, and living by the motto, Bo-hiney on Chair & Hands on Keyboard, I had some serious making up to do with my kids. Now, don’t get me wrong, they haven’t been exactly neglected this summer. Kadi was in a play that consumed the entire family for six weeks. It was a blast! All three kids had swimming lessons for two weeks, and the two oldest attended Camp Victory Church Camp. Nevertheless, SuperMom here thought she needed to “pour it on” for the last fling of the summer.

Last Sunday we headed out for our big camping trip. Here’s a quick run-down of what we accomplished in four (count ‘em)…four short days: (Take a deep breath!)

*Loaded up on Krispy Kreme donuts in the Cities
*Drove in torrential rains for 2 hours….remember that we were camping!!
*Attempted to letterbox in Maple Grove….just as the rains began!
*Visited the home of Charles Lindberg and the related museum.
*Convinced kids it was “fun” to be soaked to the skin and that sleeping in a hotel might not be so bad.
*Dried 5 sleeping bags in laundromat driers for an hour
*Set up camp
*Took family to a drive-in theater to see Barnyard….what a hoot!
*Edited my friend Erica’s new novel….it was fabulous!
*Ate s’mores
*Rented a paddle boat
*Took kids swimming
*Played bankshot basketball. Note: I am a wicked shot!
*Played disc/frisbee golf. Note: I had an awful frisbee and that’s the story I’m stinking…er…
sticking to!
*Took kids on a 2 mile hike to an Arboretum. Note: 2 mile hike (according to the book) was NOT really 2 miles and took said family 2 1/2 hours to complete!
*Led my children in singing “I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream” at the top of our lungs on the hike. Reason one: to take their minds off the mosquitos that were eating us. Reason two: to scare away the black bears that “the book” claimed we might see.
*Rented two canoes.
*Got stuck in the middle of the lake with two 10 year olds at the helm.
*Watched Mike and his two little charges paddle effortlessly away from us. Make that…FAR away from us.
*Yelled and screamed for Mike to save us.
*Held onto Mike’s canoe while he paddled BOTH canoes around the lake. Note: God bless Mike!!!
*Ate more s’mores.
*Drank lots of Diet Coke
*Forced children to also drink lots of caffeine in order for them to keep up with Mom…who was on a mission to “do it all” in those four days.
*Visited an Indian Museum in Mille Lacs
*Took kids to Chuck E. Cheese. Note: Highlight of their trip. Sheesh!
*Came home to loads and loads of laundry…and still wet sleeping bags.

We hauled ourselves home on Wednesday. Thursday and Friday are a blurr. Saturday we attended leadership training at our church and then prepared the food for a friend’s surprise birthday party. (Note: Hooked up Diet Coke intraveneously)

Today (Sunday) we headed to the Cities again for a day of letterboxing, picnicing, a trip to the Minnesota History Center, and a ride on the light rail downtown for supper at the Brit Pub, before returning home. (Note: Switch to Diet Coke patch)

It’s 10:30 p.m. The kids are in bed. Mike’s on the phone with family. And I’m supposed to be editing the novel…again.

To Do List for Tomorrow: Buy more Diet Coke. Sleep in. When does school start? Oh, wait. I’m the teacher! Better make it a 24 pack.

Like ice cream and onion rings, too much of a good thing can be bad. Today I spent most of the day with my ear glued to the telephone receiver. It’s not that I had a need to talk to friends all day, but apparently I’ve been neglecting a few folks and they all heard I’d be home today.

Beginning at eight a.m., I logged in ten phone calls, three of which lasted nearly an hour. (No, I don’t really write them down. I’m compulsive, but give me a break!) It’s been hours since the last call and my right ear still looks like it was dipped in strawberry Kool-Aid. Each and every call was good. If I’m being honest, some better than others, BUT, too much of a good thing can be bad.

Ben (6) watched 2 1/2 hours of Davey and Goliath videos. (Again…too much of a good thing…you get the point.) Caleb (4) wrote his own book and then sprawled on the floor at my feet to “read” it to me while I finished edits on the novel. Kadi stripped her bedroom walls of everything and hid stuff in the closet. Tomorrow we paint!

The point is (aside from paint shopping with Kadi), none of the kids got much “Mom-time.” It was wonderful to catch up with friends, but I failed the people who mean the most to me. It’s after 10 p.m. now and I also realized that I failed to spend any time with my Best friend. Jesus waited for me in my prayer chair, and I didn’t show up. That doesn’t happen often, but when it does, my heart breaks…and so does His.

So many things are worthy of my time and attention, but sometimes too much of a GOOD thing can be bad, including talking on the phone with friends, or working on the computer. I need to make sure my priorities are in order…God, family, and service to others.

Ice cream, anyone?

Ta Da! My first Blog! Welcome…

Yesterday my just-turned four-year-old son, Caleb, found me in the kitchen. His eyes were sparkling with news. He announced that when he grows up he’s going to be “A daddy, a grandpa, and a superhero!”

“That’s wonderful!” I responded, as any good mother would. “I think you’ll be a fabulous daddy, a terrific grandpa, and an amazing superhero!”

(For the record, his six-year-old brother had a slightly different reaction to the big announcement.)

Daddy heard the news at supper, where it was met with unequalled enthusiasm. My heart skips every time I think about his little face, full of excitement, as this dream sparked in his young life.

Julie Baker, author of A Pebble in the Pond: The Ripple Effect, wrote, ” In each heart He (God) has tucked talents, desires, and dreams.”

God gives me BIG dreams. Sometimes I think they’re too big, and other times I don’t even know something is a dream until the event has passed, and I realize I’ve waited all my life for that moment.

There was a time when I never dreamt I’d be a Christian motivational speaker. I never dreamt I’d get a thrill sharing Christ’s love and his Grace Lessons with large audiences. I certainly never dreamt I’d crank out a full-length novel this summer…in less than 2 months, no less.

What are your dreams? If they’re tucked in deep, you may have to dig around for them.

Find them, play with them, get to know them. Then enjoy the journey of making them happen by setting goals and deadlines. Be patient, but persistent. Equip yourself, in prayer, for the work He has for you to do…especially if it’s to be a daddy (mommy), a grandpa (grandma), or a superhero!